Thought of the week - Shemot

Yisro's daughter's said, "an Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds. He also drew water for us and watered the sheep." (2:19)

How did Jethro's daughter's reffer to Moses as an Egyptian? It is known that Moses wasn't in Egypt for over 10-20 years now. It is written that after Moses ran away from Egypt he arrived in Cush (Ethopia.) At that time they were haveing a war with Aramia and the lands of the East. These nations were Vassal States to Cush and now were fighting for their independance.

Balam and his 2 sons were advisors to Kinkas, King of Cush. They were put in charge of the government while the king was away at war.

While Kinkas was away Balaam gathered the leaders of the city saying "The city is now in our hands. We can easily get rid of Kinkas as king, let us all unite and when he returns we will not let him back into the city."

The leaders agreed to the plan and swore an oath of loyalty to Balaam. They built a high fortified wall on 2 sides of the
city. On the third side they dug a broad water filled moat, and on the fourth side was a deep trench crawling with venomous snakes. There was no way for anyone to enter the city.

Returning with his war weary troops, Kinkas aproached the city only to find high fortified walls and that he has no way of entering his own city. this siege lasted for 9 years!

During the first year of the siege, Moses fled Egypt finding his way to Cush and joining Kinkas's forces. At that time Moses was a strong young man around the age of 20. Seeing his wisdom the king took him as his closest advisor. 9 years had passed since the siege began and one day Kinkas became very ill and died 7 days later.

The Cushite troops then appointed Moses as their king. On his Seventh day as King he formulated a plan how to restore their city.

Moses commanded that each man should go into the forest and get fledgling storks. This way each man would have his own stork. They must train the bird to do his bidding.

When the storks matured and were well trained to swoop up to the sky to catch prey all according to it's owners command Moses commaned that for 3 days the birds must be starved.

On the third day Moses led the troops to the side of the city with the snakes. At their King's order each man sent his trained stork aloft ordering it to attack the snakes. With their long beaks the hungry storks took little time to kill and devour the serpents without being afraid of being bitten.

The trumpets sounded and the attack was mounted against the now undefended city, victoriously regaining the city. Balaam and his sons made their escape back to Egypt.

After a while Kinkas's son grew up and Moses was kindly and respectfully asked to step down and give the son to be their king. Moses agreed, and was rewarded with lots of silver and gold and respectfully escorted from the city. This was when he went, and settled in Midyan where he met Yisro's daughters.

So once again the question arises. How could the daughters have known that he was an Egyptian after being a King in Cush and away from Egypt for so long?

The reply is because when Jethro's daughters thanked Moses from them, he replied, "Don't thank me, thank the Egyptian man I killed. If not for him I would not be here." Explaining them with a parable. "Once a man was bitten by a wasp and ran to the river to cool off the stinging bite. Arriving at the river he sees a child drowning and saves him. The child says to the man, "if not for you, I would have drowned." The man replied, if not for the wasp, I would not have been here!""

Hence Jethro's daughters were in fact reffering to the Egyptian man that Moses killed.

We learn from this a special lesson in our daily lives. We never know what we do or say today, that could have an effect tomorrow. Every experience is for the good. You never know what will come out of it.

The Baal Shem Tov teaches us that all is divine providence, even the leaf falling from the tree. If you would look a little more closely it was to cover the ant from the cold!

Remember do only good!

Derived from Meam Loez - Medrash (Rabba) - Talmud - Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.
© Yershi Designs - Thought of the week

Note to Readers.

Apologies for the lateness of the last three Parshiot. We were away on a holiday break, with no access to a computer.




BARUCH DAYAN HA'EMET - HARAV YITCHAK KADURI ZT"L


We would like to say Baruch Dayan Ha'emet to Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri, also known to be the 'Eldest Kabbalist,' who passed away last Saturday night. It is not known his age for there were many disputes. Some say 108 and other over 110 so we will leave this venue open.

One time Rabbi Kaduri visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe. At the meeting the Rebbe told him that his name 'Kaduri' (meaning 'globe') symbolizes that his influence will not only be in Israel, but in the entire world. Rabbi Kaduri was hospitalized the past two weeks, from a serious case of pneumonia.

Arutz-7 Hebrew Radio show host, Yehoshua Meiri, who was a student of Rabbi Kaduri told of how he visited Rabbi Kaduri at the hospital two weeks ago. He was accompanied by the kabbalist's grandson Rabbi Yossi Kaduri. Meiri reported that the elder Rabbi Kaduri told them that the time of Redemption has come.

Let us pray and hope for a speedy redemption just as all these great Rabbanim have predicted.

"HAMAKOM YERACHEM ETCHEM BETOCH SHAAR AVEILEI TZION VEYERUSHALAYIM"

Did you know?

Did you know that Moses had 9 names?

1. 
   Moshe - Named by Pharoh's daughter saying "Its because I drew (Mishisihu) him from the water." (2:10) This name also indicates that Moshe will "draw" the Isralites from Egypt.



2. Chever - Named by his father Amram, for he was born after he had once again joined (Chaver) his parents after devorcing each other. This name also indicated that in the future he will join (Chavar) the Israelites to their Father in Heaven.



3. Yekutiel - This was the name his mother Yocheved gave him. (It comes from the root word Kava, meaning hope.) She said "I had hope and trust in G-d. He has restored my body allowing me to have children. This child to will be hope of Israel."



4. Yered - Named by his sister Miriam, for she went down (Yarad) to the Nile to check on his welfare. He will also be the one to take down (Yarad) the Torah on Mount Sini and everyday the Mann would decend (Yarad) in his Merit.



5. Tuvia - As well by Miriam (lit. G-d's Godd) for he was a saint, free of sin completely. He will do only good for the Jews in all his powers, even if it means to erase his name from the Torah. He had such a good heart, patient and humble. The three greatest traits a man can have! G-d's greatest love.



6. Avi Zanoach - Named by brother Aaron (lit. Master of Rejection) for he said, "My father rejected (Zanach) my mother and took her back due to this child." He will also cause the Israelites to reject idols and through his prayers he will bring G-d to reject all accusers who condemn Israel of sinning.



7. Avi Shocho - Moshe's nurse (lit. Master of the Seers (shochim.) He is the master of all prophets, through his divine inspiration he will see all hidden things. (Although Yocheved nursed him she had a nurse to help.)



8. Avigdor - Grandfather Keath (LI. Master of the fence.) "From birth he fenced in Pharoh."



9. Shemaya - Israelites (lit. G-d listens, "G-d will listen to our voices in his merit."

In Moshe's merit did Pharoh's daughter get a change on name to Batya, (lit. daughter of G-d) for she made sure that Moses will grow up in the best possible way. This teaches us that one that adopts a child and cares for it as though she gave birth to the child. Since Batya took such good care of Moses she was rewarded that she will go into Heaven in her lifetime. As a daughter of G-d she had the merit that she will never die.

Derived from Me'am Loez, Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Yafeh Orhar, and Bachya.
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know

Have you ever wondered

In this weeks parshah it says:

Exodus 1:7 - The children of Israel were fertile, and their population increased. They became very very numerous, and the land was filled with them.

According to another opinion the Isralite woman gave birth to sextuplets. According to a second opinion 12, and a third opinion holds up to 60.

Have you ever wondered to how it's possible.

Its written in the Torah the word Vayishretzu (they were fertile.) The literal
translation of Vayishretzu is, "and they became like the crawling animals." (Sheretz is a crawling creature.) It is known that a scorpion can give birth to 70 in a single litter. The term indicates that the women had the capabilities of these animals, giveing birth to many at a time.

However one might still wonder how did they support so many children?
It says the verse... "they became very very numerous." The second very is redundant.
The sages in Talmud explain the verse, "And you shall love your G-d with all your heart, soul and Me'od. (The sages translate Me'od as "to your might," indicating your weatlth.) Me'od literaly means very or alot. So the second Me'od relates that the jewish women not only had many children by also much wealth in order to support them.
We learn from this that one mustn't worry about, 'How will I be able to support children,' and 'I must wait till I have enough money.' However G-d teaches us that one mustn't think that or worry. One must believe that G-d will provide. G-d does provide for the children that He creates. G-d blesses a couple to have children. It is not within the couples powers that they were able to coneive. This is proven since we see that some people were sterile, and suddenly have children!

May G-d bless all those that need children to be fertile.

Derived from Meam loez - Talmud - Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Did you know?

Did you know that all Jewish kings and leaders have a commandment to be very mercifull? Did you also know that the Jewish kings were the only one's who were not dependant on their weapons?

We learn this from Jacobs blessing to Judah, if one would read the Hebrew text, he would find that in the entire blessing all the letters of the Hebrew Alef-Bet are present, besides for the letter Zayin. Zayin is also a hebrew word which literally means weapon. The absence of the ltter is due to the lack of reliance of the weapon to win a battle, but rather the Miricals of G-d. Even though we are commanded not to rely upon miricals, (and hence the reason the kings still used weapons in the first place,) but we must still pray for one!

(On a side point, we see this from the 6 day war and the Yom Kippur war. Four major country's against the tiny, and hardly developed Israel! Just think about it!)

Josef said it best, when his brothers saw taht now thier father is dead they feared that all along Josef didn't take revenge on his brothers for their fathers sake. Now that their father is gone, he might do something. Josef said "Am I in G-d's place? Do I have power to harm you? Here you wanted to harm me, but G-d made it turn out for the best. Although you were many, you couldn't harm me. Since I am one, and you are many, how would it be possible for me to harm you? Father had 12 sons paralleling the 12 hours of the day. 12 signs of the Zodaic, 12 montsh of the year, and 12 stones are in the High priests breastplate. Can I remove even one of you? True that I am your head, since the birthright has been given to me, still you are the body. What value does a head have without its body, or with some part of the body injured? My greatness is only known because of you, before I was known to be a slave that made it by. Yet, since you came they realised that I was from an important family."

We see from here that a leader, or in our day to day live's a boss, must be very merciful and forgiving to his/her employees, even though they depend on the boss, but still the truth is that the boss very much depends on his workers. If he is mean to them, he might lose them, and mess up his business by them not working well. Doing so he could end up in eventual bankrupcy. The boss must remember that the head hurts when the body is ill! He must remember that a head is worth nothing without a body!

Do only good!
A good shabbos!

Derived from Me'am Loez, Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Yafeh Orhar, and Bachya.
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know

Thought of the Week- Parshas Vayechi

B''H

Parhsas Vayechi

This weeks portion talks about how the last of the Patriarchs passed away. It coincidently was the last portion of the first book of the 5 Torah books. It is also called Vayechi which means, "and he still lives!"

It is related in Talmud Taanit, that once Rabbi Yitzchak and his student, Rabbi Nachman were seated at a meal. The student asked his teacher for a Halachic insight. The Rabbi replied, one must never convers during a meal, for heaven forbid the food might enter the windpipe instead of the esophygus. This would cause the person to choke. After the meal the student once again asked for an insight, however the Rabbi replied that he wasn't feeling too well. Finally the student asked for a small little thought so the Rabbi replied "Jacob never died."
Bewildered the student asked him. "But doesn't it say in the Torah that the people cried for him, they embalmed, and mourned for him. It even says that they buried him!?"
"True," replied the Rabbi, "but when ones decendants are alive it gives the decesed life."

(Rashi comments that it only seemed as though he was dead, for there was another story. All of Egypt's great and powerful people went on the trip to bury Jacob. Pharoh had his crown on top of Jacob's coffin in order to show the other kings that this was no war, but a respectufl event. When the other kings saw a huge army comeing towards them, they rushed to war. Upon seeing Pharoh's crown on top of a coffin they enquired as to who it is. After finding out, they too placed their crown's on top of the coffin, and joined along.
However Esav came to wage war none-the-less. Dan's son Chushim became very enraged, and with that he smacked Esav on the head so hard that it rolled right off of his body, and rolled all the way to the cave of Machpelah, where only his head is buried. (This is in merit forhonoring his father with buriel.) Jacob then opened up his eyes, sat up and smiled, only to lie back down right afterwards!)

We see from here that even though it seemed to us that Jacob has left us, however if we still live up to his expectations, he truly lives through our deeds.

Another thing that can be learnt from here is that when an old person is lying on his bed, before his death he starts tocontemplate all his doings in his life. He starts to feel bad for every foolish act he has done realizing what a waste of time it was. We must learn from this an important lesson. We mustn't wait until we are old and wrinkled on our death bed's to repent, and start brooding on our past, but we must do only good now and when the time comes and we are on our death bed instead of crying gone how we were so foolish. We'll be proud and tell our children around our bed, at how proud we are of our past how proud we are of them, and how we've raised them. Just as Jacob that was so proud of his 12 righteous children not even one was wicked!

Remember you can have an impact on the world! You can make a difference!

Derived from, Me'am Loez - Sefer Hayashar - Talmud (Sota and Taanit 5b) - Maharsha - Teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
©Yermi Kurkus - Thought of the week

Have you ever wondered

Have you ever wondered about the true meaning to the prayer of Shema?
("Hear O' Israel, G-d is our L-rd, G-d is One")

The history behind this prayer is actually connected to our Torah portion even though it's not mentioned until much later in the Torah. (determined 6:4)

Jacob called for his sons, and he said "Gather around and I will tell you what will happen to you in the end of days." (49:1)

Jacob wished to reveal to his children the date and time and all the details of when the Messiah will come including the whole process of its arrival. However G-d had other plans, and didn't allow Jacob to do so.
Jacob saw that his children were so virtuous unlike Abraham and Isaac who had at lease one son who wasn't. Jacob saw it a blessing to have every single one of his children virtuous!
Because of this he wished to give them a give: the revelation of the Messiah, even though it would be a very long time afterwards, but he wanted them to get merit for everyday that they wait, and believe, and hope for its coming. Hence gaining an enormous amount of Merit! However G-d did not agree, for this will lead to many people saying, "aw, let me do this sin, or assimilate myself to the nations, for there's a whole long while until Messiah comes. Right before the Messiah will arrive and that's when I'll repent"


However if the date of Messiah stays a mystery to us, we will hope for it any day, any time, hence giving us a much greater merit for every second that we wait and pray. It even gives greater Merit to those who died before seeing the Messiah, for it says, "one who saw the Messiah, its as though the Temple has been destructed in his day." However through the merit of believing, praying, and hoping for the coming of Messiah does one override the above mentioned.

Seeing that G-d took away the divine providence from him, Jacob became frightened. He wandered why? He then asked his sons if they still fully believed in G-d. They replied with "Shemah." When Jacob replied "Baruch Shem" he then understood G-ds intent.

Sources from Ma'am Loez, Yalkut Chadash, Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer:52, Talmud:Bava Basra:16B:Tosefos,and Kesef Nivchar.
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever Wondered

Did you know?

B''H

Did you know that Jacob blessed Zevulan before Issachar even though Issachar was older?

The reason to this was:

Issachar and Zevulan were close partners, they had an agreement that Issachar would study Torah day and night in the Yeshiva-Academy, and will not need to work whatsoever. Zevulan on the other hand would engage in Business, travelling all over the seas. Zevulan would then divide all his earnings equally giving 1/2 to Issachar. Since Zevulan would support Issachar it would be as though he was learning, and he would have a part in the merit.

Now, since Zevulan was the one who made it possible for Issachar to do nothing but study, Jacob blessed Zevulan first.

Moses did similarly when he blessed the tribes (Deuteronomy 33:18) "Rejoice Zevulan in your goings out, and Issachar in your Tent."

From here we see that if one supports Yeshiva students or scholars it is as though he himself is learning day and night. Not only does he get merit as though he learns but G-d blesses the supporter first. This is because he makes it possible, and he is the cause of the Yeshiva students learning!

Derived from Me'am Loez, Zohar, Bamidbar Rabba - Nasso (midrash). Talmud, and teachings of Rebbe M. M. Schneersohn.
©Yermi Kurkus

Have you ever wondered

B''H

Have you ever wondered why you say "bless you" to a person that sneezes?

The reason to it is because up to the time of Jacob people would die suddenly and a sneeze was the sign. (They used to
sneeze and die.) Jacob however found this unjust. He prayed to G-d that people should be sick for a few days. This way they would be given a chance to repent from all their lifetimes wrongdoings. It would also give them time to write out their will and say a proper goodbye to their families etc.

We know this from the verses 47:31 and 48:01

47:31 - 'Jacob said "swear to me" Josef swore to him. Israel prostrated himself at the head of the bed.'
Two things can be learned from this:

1. Israel (Jacob) prostrated - he thanked G-d for listening to his prayers and making him the "head" (the first) of all those who would have to take to their "bed" (because of their illness.) (Kesef Nivchar.)


2. It is written in Talmud that the Divine Providence resides at the head of the bed of the sick. Why then would the Divine Providence be there if Jacob wasn't sick?

The next verse answers:

48:01 - After these events someone said to Josef "Your father is ill. Josef took his two sons, Menasseh and Ephraim along with him."

When the Royal house heard that Jacob was sick and was calling his sons to give them his last will, they were surprised. They had never seen this before, for they were used to seeing people die suddenly!

Sources from Ma'am Loez, Yalkut Chadash, Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer:52, Talmud:Bava Basra:16B:Tosefos,and Kesef Nivchar.
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever Wondered

Did you know?

B''H

Did you know that feeding one's minor children is considered charity?

It is writen "Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for 17 years. Jacob's days, the years of his life, were 147 ears" (47:28)

One might right away ask, isn't this extra? We know that Jacob was 130 when he came to Egypt, enough the Torah should write that Jacob lived 147 years, or that the Torah would write that he lived for 17 years in Egypt. Why the double phrasing?

The reason is because Josef was taken away from Jacob at the age of 17, hence Jacob supported and fed him for 17 years. Now after all this time, Josef supported Jacob in dignity for 17 years.

One could now ask, how would he know that it was in dignity?
This is because it says that Jacob lived for 17 years in Egypt. Right afterwards it says that Jacob's days, the years of his life were 147. Hence, he only really lived 17 good years, for all the other 130 years were years of pain, suffering and troubles. Jacob had never had one good year until he came to Egypt. He suffered very greatly that he lost Josef at the age of 17, for he remembered his mother Rachel. Jacob prematuraly lost Rachel, he would console over her by seeing his son Josef. When he lost Josef, he lost both his consolences. G-d paid Jacob back for this by giving him the 17 years at the end of his life to be the best ones. This connects to the 1st point that feeding one's minor children is considered charity. G-d gave him 17 years also for this 2nd reason that he gave charity to his son for the 17 years before Josef was taken away.

We can learn from this that no matter what we do to anyone, it will be done back to us in an even bigger way. Chassidut explains that G-d doesn't stay in debt to anyone, whether good or bad. We see it clearly from Jacob and Josef. A father has to, and will in any case, help and support his child. He would do this on his own flesh and blood in any way that he could, until his child can support himself. G-d pays him back in dignity. How much more so if a father decides to support and/or assist his child after he can support himself. (Or is at the age of doing so.) Even more so, how much reward will G-d give to someone who helps a complete stranger?

Just think about it! Remember this before you plan on "getting someone back" or doing anything "bad" to them. Better to Do Only Good, and G-d will pay you back in a good way!!

derived from Me'am Loez and Teachings of Various Chassidic Rabbi's, including Rebbe Menachem M. Schneersohn.

Derived from Me'am Loez
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know

Please say Psalms 20

B''H

Do Only Good staff would like to extend our prayers for the speedy recovery of the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Although we condemn any type of withdrawal and disengagement from our home land. However the fact that he's a jewish soul is what counts, we still remember the good things he has done for the state of Israel, we hope he'll be able to recover from his current state and he'll repent on his misdoings. please say Psalms 20 for Ariel Ben Devorah.


Also we would like to pray for all the sick including Matilda Mazal Bat Chana and Muzli Bat Tova.






P.S. If you would like to add people of your own to the tehillim post, please add it in the comments column. Thank you!

©Yermi Kurkus - Tehillim

Have you ever wondered?

B''H

Reading through todays portion in the Parshah, we read "Joseph brought his father Jacob, and had him stand before Pharoh. Jacob Blessed Pharoh." Pharoh said to Jacob. "How many are the years that you have lived?"(47:7-8)

A question automaticaly rises. How rude is that? The first thing you ask an elderly man is his age? That is the last thing an old person wants to remember!

Jacob answered Pharoh that he's 130 years old, and it hasn't been a bed of roses. He also said that he hasn't lived as long as his father and grandfather.

From this we see, the Egyptians knew about Abraham and his long life. Jacob seemed older than Abraham. Even in those days, the extreme longevity of the early generations no longer existed. Peoples lives were no longer than they are today, therefore it amazed Pharoh, for he had never seen such an old man. Out of his amazement his first reaction to seeing Jacob was "wow, how old is this man!?"

Derived from Me'am Loez.
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever Wondered

Parshas Vayigash

B''H

Now that we're so elevated from the holiday we just had, and as we all are going back to work after a nice double holiday we go back to our daily stressfull life of work, problems with the cliens, problems with the boss. We start wondering why can't this holiday continue? Why does it have to end?

The truth is some people like work. Of course they enjoyed the break, but they also look forward to going back to work. Those people seem to have it all. Even if they don't make that much money, or even if they do, it seems not to really matter to them. They seem always happy. Those people statisticaly are easy going people, for they seem not to have any troubles, they always seem happy.

The thing is, their perspective is different. They don't think at how unfair the boss is, or how hard life is. But rather they thank him for not doing something worse, or ruining their whole life by being in a bad mood and suddenly deciding to fire them.

Chassidut and Kabbalah teach. In order to have a good meaningfull happy life, we must look at the cup as 1/2 full, not 1/2 empty. We must always say to ourselves, all this is for the good. Even when things seem at their worst point, one must believe that it is always for the best.

We learn this from Joseph. He went through so many troubles. He was hated by his brothers who were filled with jealousy against him. He was thrown in a pit, sold several times as a slave, and even thrown into a dungeon. Through all of this he kept his faith and made it to be King Pharoh's Viceroy. He could've held a huge grudge on his brothers, but none-the-less he tried them out, tested to see if they changed their ways, all in order to make them forgive themselves. If he would've just revealed himself right away, they would go into shock and start fighting and blaming each other. When Joseph finally saw that they indeed changed. He saw how Judah did eveything in his power to protect Benjamin. Only then did Joseph reveal himself. That was when he gave them gifts, treated them Royaly etc. Joseph said to his brothers, "You did not send me here but G-d, and he made me a father to Pharoh, a Lord over all his household, and ruler over the entire land of Egypt." (45:8)
Josef saw the cup 1/2 full, and saw it for the good.

There is a story of a man. His name was Nachum Ish Gamzu.

Once he was on a journey and needed a place to spend the night. Knocking on the door of one of the homes in the town he was passing through, the person there did not let him in. He wasn't upset, for he realized, "Everything G-d does is for the best."

He went from door to door, yet no-one would give him hospitality for the night. You would think that after the 3rd or 4th
door he would give up in annoyance. But no, he stayed strong to his faith, "everything G-d does is for the best." He kept on knocking on the doors until he realised that no one in the town was going to accept him as a guest. He still stood firm, "everything G-d does is for the best."

So, he was left with no option but to camp in a forest lying at the outskirts of the town. He was traveling with a donkey to carry his packages, a rooster to wake him up early, and a lamp with which he could study at night. Shortly after he encamped, a strong wind blew out his fire, a cat ate his rooster, and a fox devoured his donkey. After each of these events, Rabbi Nachum said, "Everything that happens is for the good."

On the following morning, he discovered that during the night, a Roman legion had attacked this village and taken its people
as captives. Had he been accepted as a guest in one of these homes, he too, would have been taken captive.

And if his donkey or rooster had been alive, their braying and crowing would have attracted the legionnaires' attention. Had his candle remained burning, they would have been able to see him in the forest. "Everything that happened was for the best."

Remember that the world is not a bad place, but rather what you make it out to be. Treat life well, and it will treat you better! Have faith and take it easy. Remember, do only good! You can change the world!

Derived from Me'am Loez - Talmud (various sources). The teachings of various Chabad Rabbis - Rabbi Nachman Mibreslev, and from the teachings of Rebbe Menachem M. Schneersohn.


©Yermi Kurkus - Thought of the week

Did you know?

B''H

When the brothers returned from Egypt, they were given the task of letting Jacob know that Joseph was still alive. It was important that it would be done gently. Jacob had mourned Joseph's death for 20 years. He was now an old man. Telling him such news straight up would shock him, and possibly cause his death.

They came up with a solution to the problem. Asher had a daughter called Serach. She had the most beautifull voice, and she sang together with playing on her harp. Her music was so gentle and soft, that she would be able to sing to Jacob that Joseph was still alive. By the time it would reach Jacob's consiousness, it would be already deep in his subconsiousness so therefore it wouldn't come as a shock.

The same thing was when the London Bridge was destroyed, the British sang the song "London Bridge is falling down..." to the Queen at the time in order that she shouldn't get a shock.

This shows how important it is for us to be carefull when relating good news to someone. It must be done gently, because such good news can cause death. Physicians say that the elderly cannot take sudden good news. The heart expands and contracts. Blood flows to the extremities, leaving the person like a dead man.

Derived from Me'am Loez
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know

Have you ever Wondered

B''H

Have you ever wondered why in the end of the Chuppah the groom breaks a glass?

The reason to it is because we must remember the destruction of the Temples... however, isn't it supposed to be a happy moment, not a sad one commemorating the destruction of our Holiest building?

The Talmud teaches us that there is a law. If a person has not been home for a long period of time, he may not just walk in
without prior warning. This is because it may create a huge shock, and cause death (Niddah 16B.) So too, great happiness can cause death. Just like by Joseph and Benjamin, it was a very happy moment for the two to be re-united. G-d showed them the future that the 2 Temples of Benjamin's portion in the land of Israel will be destroyed. The Tabernacle and so many people were killed on Joseph's portion, for they died from happiness.
This is the reason that at such a great happy time such a s a wedding, where all are so excited for the couple. When the couple are so in love. They all must remember something sad in order to bring them down to reality a bit.

Derived from Me'am Loez, Yad Yosef & Talmud (Tranctate Niddah 16B)
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever Wondered

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B''H

The Holy Temples/Beis Hamikdosh 1 and 2, were built on the border of 2 tribes portions. Judah and Benjamin. Judah's because his tribe was considered the Royal Tribe. However Benjamin merited to have the Holiest spot of the temple, (the Holy of Holies) because he had zero to do with the selling of Josef. Even Josef was considered to be part of it, as he was the subject of the missdoing. Therefore it was only fair that Benjamin, who had absolutely nothing to do with the selling would recieve in merit the Holiest portion in the entire Israel.

Derived from Meam Loez
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know

Have you ever wondered?

B''H

Have you ever wondered why all the egyptian Kings were called Pharohs?

It all started a while back. There was this man named Rekaon. He was from Iraq. An extremely intelligent individual, knowledged in all sciences, art, and languages. He therefore decided to go speak to the Egyptian ruler at the time for a job. (At the time Eygpt was the most powerfull and richest country.)

When Rekaon arrived in Egypt, he asked the people there what he must do to meet the king. He also asked them what were their customs in this land.

When Rekaon finally reached the palace, he was dissapointed to be told that the king will only have an audience once a year, and it would not be until 10 months when he would finaly be able to see him. Pushing the subjects, to tell him more, Rekaon asked them if there was no other way. But to no avail. He would have to wait for 10 months to see the king.

Sad and in dispare Rekaon walked through the market place to see what job he could find there, until it would be time that he could speak to the king. He watched with interest how the people in the market did their business and decided to try it. He bought some fruits and opened up a booth in the market.

Business was difficult, and he did not sell enough to put food in his mouth. It was difficult as he did not know the local language.

Rekaon did not give up so easily though. He decided to work as an employee for a bigger business, and was only turned down until he arrived at the local university.

It was there that Rekaon found his place. He made many friends, some including big Generals in the Egyptian army.

Many professors in the university became jealous of Rekaon's popularity and smartness and ordered him to go back to where he came from. However the generals retained their friendship with him.

A while later Rekaon found out that at the time there was a city in Egypt where all the dead of Egypt were buried. He formed a plan! Setting up a border to the city Rekaon made a tax, the price totaling 200 gold coins. People had to pay this ransom in order to bury their dead. This caused him to become extremely rich an powerful, as he claimed to everyone that it was "by order of the king!"

Finaly the day came that the king left his palace. He was surprised when his people started telling him that they found it unjust what he had done to them that entire year. When he asked them what it was that he did, they explained to him about the buriel tax. Angrily the king demanded that the man responsible for this tax be brought to him.

However, Rekaon was smart. He was well prepared. He came to the king with stunning presants, strong horses, gold, silver, and precious gems, sparkeling and gleaming with all their beauty. He presented himself to the king bowing gracefully to the ground, dressed in the finest of garments.

The king was bewildered. "Who are you that you come to my land and you charge my people so much money, and then you come to me with all this finery?"

As Rekaon started to talk he impressed the king with his great intelect and words of wisdom. Pleased at this man's conduct the king hiered Rekaon as his Viceroy, on the condition that the tax on the dead would be removed.

The last thing the king did was change Rekaon's name to Pharoh. Rekaon means "empty" and Pharoh comes from the word Peraon which means "gatheriing". (This is in rememberance to the smart way he used to gather money and power.)

When the king of Egypt died the Egyptians anointed Pharoh as their king promising that forever they will remember his good deeds by calling all the kings after him, Pharoh.

Derived from Me'am Loez.
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever wondered

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B''H
Have you ever wondered why Judah told Josef "You are just the same as Pharoh?" (44:18)

There are several reasons to this:

• Josef was the Viceroy to the Pharoh, who was the king.
  
• Josef was as great as Pharoh for he ruled all his land.
  
• Josef was pityful just as Pharoh was - he sold food to the people for a very reasonable price, even though it was during a time of famine, and he was able to charge alot.
  

Derived from the Maam Loez
©Yermi Kurkus - Did you know